It was a quiet morning in the grassland, a Yellow Throat was protesting my presence, traffic on Highway 81, a half mile way a distant hum, when!!!!!! A hen pheasant exploded from the grass inches from my foot...that's a heart test. Likely she flew off her nest...which at this date means it's her second attempt at nesting. Pheasants will try three times to nest if previous attempts are unsuccessful. I moved quickly aways to allow her to return.

       In another field I saw a brood of pheasant chicks, perhaps a third grown. They flew with alacrity. Frank, who has a sizeable acreage that he manages for wildlife, said that he's seen more pheasant broods than ever before. That's surprising given the long and snowy winter which might have decimated the hens.

Takk for alt,

Al

   Corn growing to provide winter food for wildlife.

This has been a good season for big bluestem grass.